There’s something magical about recipes that look elegant, taste incredible, and yet take almost no effort to make. These Easy Tomato Tartlets with Puff Pastry are exactly that kind of dish — crisp, flaky, buttery pastry topped with juicy tomatoes, melted cheese, garlic, and herbs. They’re incredibly simple, unbelievably delicious, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something fast but satisfying.

Puff pastry is a secret weapon in the kitchen. It instantly transforms everyday ingredients into something special: golden, flaky layers that make even simple toppings feel gourmet. With just a sheet of store-bought puff pastry, a handful of pantry staples, and 20 minutes in the oven, you can have a warm, crispy tartlet that tastes like it came straight from a French bakery.

These tartlets work beautifully as a light dinner, a quick lunch, a stunning appetizer, or even a snack to serve with soup or salad. They’re crisp around the edges, soft in the center, and bursting with fresh tomato flavor — the kind that becomes even sweeter as the tomatoes roast on top of the pastry.

In this article, you’ll learn how to assemble the tartlets, tips for preventing soggy pastry, ways to season them, and delicious variations that include mozzarella, feta, pesto, caramelized onions, and more. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or entertaining guests, these tartlets are guaranteed to impress with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love These Tomato Puff Pastry Tartlets

✔ Ready in under 25 minutes

Perfect for fast dinners or last-minute appetizers.

✔ Only a handful of ingredients

Tomatoes, cheese, pastry — that’s it!

✔ Beautiful and elegant

They look like gourmet pastries with almost no work.

✔ Budget-friendly

Simple ingredients, big flavors.

✔ Versatile

Enjoy for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks.

✔ Customizable

Use any cheese, herbs, or toppings you like.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Core Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
2–3 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella or gruyere
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 egg (for egg wash)

Optional Extras

Fresh basil
Pesto drizzle
Feta cheese
Balsamic glaze
Red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pastry

Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
Roll out thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
Cut into 6–9 small rectangles or squares.
Score a border around each piece (do NOT cut through).
This creates a raised edge while baking.

2. Prepare Tomatoes

Thinly slice tomatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel.
This prevents soggy pastry.

3. Assemble

Place pastry rectangles on a baking sheet.
Brush the borders with egg wash.
Mix olive oil with minced garlic.
Spread a small amount inside each rectangle.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Add 2–3 tomato slices on each tartlet.
Season with salt and pepper.

4. Bake

Bake for 16–20 minutes until golden and puffed.
Cool slightly before serving.

5. Garnish

Add fresh basil, pesto drizzle, or balsamic glaze.

Tips for Perfect Tartlets

✔ Pat tomatoes dry

The #1 rule for crisp pastry.

✔ Don’t overload with toppings

Too much weight prevents puffing.

✔ Score a border

This creates a beautiful raised edge.

✔ Use cold pastry

Cold dough = maximum flakiness.

✔ Bake on parchment

Prevents sticking and promotes even browning.

Flavor Variations

1. Pesto Tomato Tartlets

Add a thin layer of pesto before cheese.

2. Caprese Tartlets

Use mozzarella, tomato, and basil + balsamic drizzle.

3. Feta & Herb Tartlets

Add crumbled feta + oregano + thyme.

4. Caramelized Onion Tartlets

Spread onions under the tomatoes for extra flavor.

5. Garlic Butter Tomato Tartlets

Replace olive oil with garlic herb butter.

Serving Suggestions

These tartlets pair beautifully with:

Green salad
Tomato basil soup
Roasted veggies
Grilled chicken
Pasta dishes
Wine & cheese boards

They’re wonderful for:

Quick dinners
Lunch meal prep
Brunch
Picnic baskets
Holiday appetizers

Easy Tomato Tartlets with Puff Pastry

Crispy golden puff pastry topped with juicy tomatoes, melted cheese, garlic, and herbs. A fast, elegant, and delicious dinner ready in 20 minutes!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 18

Total Time 28

Servings: 6 tartlets

Course: Appetizer, Dinner

Cuisine: American, French

Calories: 220

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Tartlets

1 sheet puff pastry thawed
2-3 tomatoes thinly sliced
1 cup shredded cheese mozzarella or gruyere
2 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 egg for egg wash

Toppings

fresh basil optional
pesto or balsamic glaze optional

Equipment

Baking sheet
Knife
Parchment paper

Method

Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
Cut puff pastry into rectangles and score a border.
Mix garlic with olive oil; brush onto pastry centers.
Top with cheese and sliced tomatoes; season with salt and pepper.
Brush pastry edges with egg wash.
Bake 16–20 minutes until golden and puffed.
Garnish with basil, pesto, or balsamic glaze.

Notes

Pat tomatoes dry to prevent soggy pastry.

Make-Ahead Tips

To Prep Ahead

Slice tomatoes
Thaw pastry
Mix garlic oil
Store components separately

To Freeze (Before Baking)

Assemble tartlets
Freeze on tray
Store in freezer up to 2 months
Bake from frozen + 4 minutes extra

To Store

Refrigerator: 2 days
Reheat: 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes
Air fryer: 3 minutes at 360°F